THE Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) officially welcomed its new mayor, Toto Reyes, as he took his oath of office on June 27, 2025, at the Igacos City Hall grounds.
Surrounded by supporters, local officials, and family members, Reyes formally assumed leadership as the city’s highest elected official, pledging to drive development and address long-standing concerns of the island community.
In his inaugural speech, Reyes, who previously served as Vice Mayor, reflected on the challenges he faced during the campaign period. He revealed that he had been offered bribes to withdraw his candidacy, but stood firm, thanking his supporters for the encouragement.
“Sa sinugdanan pa lang, gisulayan kog palit aron maka-atras ko (From the very beginning, I was offered to back out).... but I have a strong support system,” Reyes recalled.
He then outlined his key priorities for his term, with top focus on improving the island's power supply system.
Igacos currently remains under the franchise of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), which is locked in a legal battle at the Supreme Court to prevent the enforcement of Republic Act No. 12144. This law mandates the transfer of Nordeco’s franchise areas in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro to Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light).
Reyes expressed hope for a lasting solution to Igacos’ electricity issues to meet the growing demands of residents and investors.
The mayor also highlighted the P23-billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project as a major economic game-changer. He believes the bridge, once completed, will not only boost the island’s tourism industry but also increase job opportunities, attract investments, and improve access to essential services for Samaleños.
Another pressing issue Reyes vowed to address is the island's water supply. He assured residents that ensuring consistent and safe water distribution will be one of his administration’s priorities.
Additionally, he committed to expanding job creation programs, encouraging small businesses, and improving the quality of education in the city.
Reyes secured his mayoral seat as an independent candidate in the May 2025 elections, garnering 35,758 votes (40.66 percent), defeating Tino del Rosario, who received 27,328 votes (31.07 percent).
As he started his term, Reyes called on Samaleños to unite and work together for the progress and prosperity of the island. DEF